Millennial’s horror at fashion trend’s comeback

The return of this fashion trend isn’t necessarily a revelation, but it’s still sending shockwaves through an entire generation.

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COMMENT
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this is the news no-one born in the 1980s and mid-1990s wants to hear.

Low-rise jeans are back.

I know, it’s enough to send a shudder up anyone’s spine, not least everyone who lived through this trend the first time around.

But, it’s happening. Aussie fashion entrepreneur Pip Edwards has called it and look, not many people are happy about it.

Being a 90s baby I was elated when the Y2K fashion trend took off and I was able to relive all of my favourite fashion trends of the early 00s – before I knew it my wardrobe was filled with halter neck tops, trucker hats, cargo pants, baby tee’s and platform slides. So believe me when I say, I’m all about recycling fashion trends and making them ‘in’ again.

This trend, however, I simply cannot get behind.

When news.com.au checkout interviewed Aussie fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of PE Nation, Pip Edwards, and she declared her love for “skinny, low rise jeans” AND the fact they were back in fashion, I was really taken aback.

The “skinny jean” part was scary enough without adding in “low rise” too.

But don’t panic, this resurgence is not as bad as you might think.

After this confronting announcement I began my own research into the trend, and it appears some big celebs have already embraced the revival with the likes of Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid and Zendaya all rocking low rise pants of late.

Hailey Bieber rocking a decidedly Y2K look with wide leg, low-rise jeans. Picture: Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Bella Hadid baring her belly button in some seriously low slung pants. Picture: Getty Images

Zendaya.who never puts a sartorial foot wrong, could possible convert us to low-rise with this look. Picture: Paras Griffin/Getty Images

But it’s not just celebrities getting behind the trend. According to Levi’s, Norwegians embraced the revival years ago and “low rise jeans” were not only the most popular style back in 2022 but the trend was also Googled close to 80,000 times that year.

According to fashion stylist Larissa Peters this cut of jeans in particular give us the shudders because, “We tend to dislike low-rise jeans due to the common belief that they are an uncomfortable fit. Designed to sit just below the hips, we are constantly confronted with the feeling of needing to pull them up. Their limited coverage exposes more skin, particularly when bending over or sitting down.”

For anyone heartened by the advice and brave enough to give the trend a go, despite themselves here are Larissa’s top five tips for how we can somehow make this trend work:

• If you don’t mind showing some skin, achieve balance in proportions by pairing with a cropped top that sits at your waist, drawing attention away from the hips. Alternatively, if you don’t want to show off your tummy, a body suit is the perfect solution.

• Ensure proper sizing; low rise skinnies should be fitted but not constricted. Consider selecting a size larger than usual.

• Experiment with proportions; pair with an intentionally oversized button-up shirt and ballet flats for a look with structure and flow.

• For a more casual, modern look, add a form fitting tee and a low profile sneaker like the Adidas Samba.

• Elevate the look with knee-high boots layered over the skinny jean and add a blazer for a polished finish, balancing out the proportions.

If you are brave enough to give this trend a go, these Deconstructed Wide-Leg Wool Trousers are a nice gateway between mid rise and low rise as they give the illusion of starting lower down your body, while still giving you some level of support around your lower stomach.

Another option would be these Low Rise Pleated Linen Blend Trousers from COS

Taking notes from Larissa, we’d pair these with a slim-fit plain white shirtand low-profile sneakers. Something about the bagginess of these pants makes the low rise element less daunting.

As for me, having my fashion idol (Ms Edwards) deem this style the new ‘It’ pair has almost converted me.

I’m not ruling out possibly wearing a pair of skinny jeans this winter. But as for the low rise part? There’s no amount of fashion runways or influencer reels that could convince me.